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The National Methane Hydrates R&D Program
Methane Hydrate Reference Shelf

The Methane Hydrate Reference Shelf was created to provide a repository for information collected from projects funded as part of the National Methane Hydrate R&D Program. As output from the projects is received, it will be reviewed and then placed onto the reference shelf to be available to other methane hydrate researchers.

Projects:
DOE/NETL Projects : These pages contain detailed information on methane hydrate projects funded
through the National Energy Technology Laboratory.

Newsletter:
Fire in the Ice: A quarterly publication highlighting the National Methane Hydrate R&D Program

Bibliography:
"Project Reports Bibliography"[PDF]: The bibliography lists publications resulting from DOE/NETL-sponsored
methane hydrate R&D projects.

Graduate Fellowship Program:
        Methane Hydrate Graduate Fellowship Program - NETL has launched an academic research fellowship
         program to support qualified postgraduate students in their pursuit of advanced degrees related to
         methane hydrate science.

Hydrate Researchers:
"Hydrate Researchers": A directory of Hydrate Researchers & Related Project Participants.
To be added to the directory, please use the contact at the top of the "Hydrate Researchers" page.

Modeling/Software:

ToughFX/Hydrate, PetraSim, HydrateResSim (HRS)
Methane Hydrate Reservoir Simulator Code Comparison Study - An International Effort to Compare Methane Hydrate Reservoir Simulators

All About Methane Hydrates:
Background and general information about the history of hydrate R&D, the science of methane hydrates,
their occurrences, and R&D related issues.

Reports:

The Interagency Roadmap for Methane Hydrate R&D (PDF), which outlines a plan of action to fully address the goals of the Methane Hydrate Research and Development Act, is now available.
Report to Congress on Methane Hydrates Research [PDF-external site]. This report from the Federal Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee provides an assessment of the Methane Hydrate Research Program as well as an assessment of the 5-year research plan of the Department of Energy.
April, 2008 Final Project Report DE-FC26-05NT42665 Gas Hydrate Instability in the Southeastern Bering Sea [PDF-1.32MB]
March, 2008 Alaska Gas Hydrate Research and Stratigraphic Test Preliminary Results [PDF-1.84MB] - Robert B. Hunter, Scott A. Digert, Ray Boswell, and Timothy S. Collett
February, 2008 SPE Article - Project FWP-G308 "Toward Production From Gas Hydrates: Current Status, Assessment of Resources, and Simulation-Based Evaluation of Technology and Potential" [PDF-4.0MB] - presented at the Unconventional Reservoirs Conference in February, 2008
February, 2008 Well Log Data from the BP-DOE-US "Mount Elbert" Test - Digital well log data acquired at the February 2007 gas hydrates test well at Milne Point, Alaska are now available. Data include Gamma ray, neutron porosity, density porosity, three-dimensional high resolution resistivity, acoustics including compressional- and shear-wave data, and nuclear magnetic resonance.
October, 2007 Final Phase 1 Project Report DE-AI26-06NT42938: Gas Hydrate Research Database and Web Dissemination Channel (Year 1) [PDF-921KB]
October, 2007 American Journal of Science Article DE-FC26-06NT42960: Generalization of Gas Hydrate Distribution and Saturation in Marine Sediments by Scaling of Thermodynamic and Transpot Processes" [PDF-1.66MB]
August, 2007 Final Project Report DE-AI26-06NT42878Geochemical characterization of concentrated gas hydrate deposits on the Hikurangi Margin, New Zealand [PDF-3.50MB]
July, 2007 Topical Report DE-FC26-06NT42667: Combining Multicomponent Seismic Attributes, New Rock Physics Models, and In Situ Data to Estimate Gas-Hydrate Concentrations in Deep-Water, Near-Seafloor Strata of the Gulf of Mexico [PDF-535KB] - Task 8 (Select Rock Physics Model)
July, 2007 Topical Report DE-FC26-05NT42664/ESD05-036: Approach to Forming Hydrate Bearing Samples in Fine Grained Material [PDF-94KB]
June, 2007 Topical Project Report FEAB111: Experimental Formation of Massive Hydrate Deposits From Accumulation of CH4 Gas Bubbles Within Synthetic and Natural Sediments [PDF-1.06MB]
June, 2007 Final Project Report DE-FC26-02NT41327: Petrophysical Characterization and Reservoir Simulator for Methane Gas Production from Gulf of Mexico Hydrates [PDF-9.04MB]
May, 2007 Offshore Technologies Conference paper - project DE-FC26-05NT42664 / ESD05-036: Numerical Studies of Geomechanical Stability of Hydrate-Bearing Sediments [PDF-2.42MB]
May, 2007 Phase 1A Final Technical Report DE-FC26-06NT42962: Characterization and Qualification of the Methane Hydrate Resource Potential Associated with the Barrow Gas Fields [PDF-1.03MB]
May, 2007 Appendix to Phase 1A Final Technical Report DE-FC26-06NT42962: Gas Hydrate Stability Model for Barrow Gas Fields [PDF-614KB]
May, 2007 Yearly Project Report DE-FC26-06NT42963: Methane Recovery from Hydrate-bearing Sediments [PDF-798KB]
March, 2007 Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrates Joint Industry Project (JIP) DE-FC26-01NT41330: Well Logs from the 2005 GOM Cruise [external site - Chevron JIP]
February, 2007 DE-FC26-05NT42664: Phase 1 Topical Report [PDF-5.72MB] Geomechanical Performance of Hydrate-Bearing Sediments in Offshore Environments
February, 2007 Final Report DE-AF26-06NT00440: Development of a Gas Hydrate Markup Language [PDF-1.22MB] by E.Dendy Sloan, Center for Hydrate Research, Colorado School of Mines
February, 2007 Phase I & II Final Reports DE-FC26-01NT41329: In-Situ Sampling and Characterization of Naturally Occurring Marine Methane Hydrate Using the D/V JOIDES Resolution
Phase I Final Report [PDF-5.45MB]
Phase II Final Report [PDF-1.82MB]
January, 2007 Status Presentations DE-FC26-05NT42664: Geomechanical Performance of Hydrate-Bearing Sediments in Offshore Environments
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory [PDF-1.84MB]
- Schlumberger [PDF-2.88MB]
- Texas A&M University [PDF-2.18MB]
- University of California Berkeley [PDF-2.28MB]
December, 2006 Presentation DE-FC26-02NT41628: Seismo-Acoustic Imagery of a Carbon/Hydrate Mound in the Gulf of Mexico [PDF-5.18MB] - Presentation to the American Geophysical Union - Fall meeting, December 11-15, 2006. Presented by Thomas McGee and Leonardo Macelloni of CMRET.
August, 2006 Project Report FWP-G308: TOUGH+/HYDRATE - Hydrate Reservoir Simulator Development Gas Production Potential of Disperse Low-Saturation Hydrate Accumulations in Oceanic Sediments [PDF-1.05MB]
Project Reports from the The Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project DE-FC26-01NT41330:
- Well Logs from the 2005 GOM Cruise [external site - Chevron JIP]
- Semi-Annual Report April 2006 - September 2006 [PDF-428KB]
- Semi-Annual Report October 2005 - March 2006 [PDF-6.39MB]
- Semi-Annual Report April 2005 - September 2005 [PDF-2.16MB]
- Semi-Annual Report October 2004 - March 2005 [PDF-1.68MB]
- 2005 GOM/JIP Final Cruise Report [PDF-6.13MB] - The Cruise of the Drilling Vessel Uncle John Mobile, Alabama to Galveston, Texas Atwater Valley Blocks 13/14 and Keathley Canyon Block 151 17 April to 22 May 2005
- Results of Core Sample Analysis - Fugro Operations and Geotechnical Investigations [PDF-7.13MB] - 2005 GOM/JIP Cruise Report
- Topical Reports from the May 2005 DOE/JIP GOM Hydrate Research Cruise
     - Logging While Drilling Operations
     - Conventional Wireline Logging Operations
     - Bottom-Simulating Reflections
     - Pressurized Coring Equipment
     - Non-Pressurized and Pressure Core Handling
     - On-Board Geochemistry Analyses
- July 2003 Semi-annual Project Report (Oct. 2002 - Mar.2003): Characterizing Natural Gas Hydrates in the Deep Water Gulf of Mexico [PDF: 1.26MB]
June, 2006 Final Project Report DE-FC26-02NT41328: Controls on Gas Hydrate Formation and Dissociation, Gulf of Mexico: In Situ Field Study with Laboratory Characterizations of Exposed and Buried Gas Hydrates [PDF-1.2MB]
June, 2006 Project Final Report DE-AT26-97FT34343: Gathering, Processing and Evaluating Seismic and Physical Data on Gas Hydrates in the Gulf of Mexico [PDF-248KB] -
Progress reports from the GOM Sea Floor Monitoring Station Project DE-FC26-02NT41628
   - Technical Progress Report, period ending September, 2006 [PDF-704KB]
   - Technical Progress Report, period ending March, 2006 [PDF-3.84MB]
   - Technical Progress Report, period ending September, 2005 [PDF-1.53MB]
   - Technical Progress Report, period ending May, 2005 [PDF-4023KB]
   - Technical Progress Report, period ending November 30, 2004 [PDF]
   - Technical Progress Report, period ending May 31, 2004 [PDF]
   - Technical Progress Report, period ending November 30, 2003 [PDF]
   - Technical Progress Report, period ending May 31, 2003 [PDF]
   - Status of the GOM seafloor Monitoring Station [PDF-540KB] - October 2003
July, 2005 Technical Report DE-FC-01NT41332: Eighth and Ninth Quarterly Report [PDF-7524KB] - Resource Characterization of Natural Gas Hydrate, Kuparak River Area, North Slope of Alaska - DE-FC-01NT41332
July 2005 Project Factsheet FWP-G308: NETL- Directing the Development of World-Class Gas Hydrate Reservoir Simulators [PDF-1605KB]
June 2005 Topical Report DE-FC-01NT41332: Drilling and Data Acquisition and Planning [PDF-8092KB] - Resource Characterization of Natural Gas Hydrate, Kuparak River Area, North Slope of Alaska
April, 2005 Final Project Report DE-AT26-97FT34342: Task No. 6 - Preparation, Drilling, and Testing of a Gas Hydrate Well [PDF-2.71MB]
March, 2005 Final Project Report DE-FC26-01NT41331: Methane Hydrate Production from Alaskan Permafrost [PDF- 14765KB]
Topical Reports DE-FC26-01NT41331: Methane Hydrate Production from Alaskan Permafrost
- Core and Fluids Analysis [PDF- 4910KB]
- 3D Vertical Seismic Profile Survey [PDF- 27309KB]
- Hydrate Reservoir Characterization and Modeling [PDF- 40780KB]
- Drilling and Coring Operations [PDF- 5254KB]
- Logging Operations [PDF- 3879KB]
- Hydrate Core Drilling Test [PDF: 2.81MB]
June 2003 Project Progress Report(Jan. 1 - March 31, 2003) DE-FC26-01NT41331 : Methane Hydrate Production from Alaskan Permafrost [PDF: 6.86MB]
June 2003 Project Report : Gulf of Mexico Sea-Floor Observatory [PDF: 36KB]
May 2003 Project Report : Hydrate Drill - Development, testing, and monitoring [PDF: 1.21MB]
Visit the Photo Gallery for pictures of the microdrill
March 2003 Project Report: Formation and Dissociation Studies for Optimizing the Uptake of Methane by Methane Hydrates [PDF: 159KB]
July 2002 Project Report : X-ray Scanner for ODP Leg204 [PDF: 1446KB]
Project Progress Report: Numerical Studies of Gas Production from Several CH4-Hydrate zones at the Mallik SIte, Mackenzie Delta, Canada [PDF: 185KB]
Project Progress Report: Hydrate core sampling at Hydrate Ridge off Oregon Coast [html, Texas A&M University ODP website, opens new browser window]
Project Progress Report: Investigation of the Near Sea Floor Hydrocarbon System Within the Hydrate Stability Zone of the Northern Gulf of Mexico [PDF: 31KB]
Visit the Photo Gallery for pictures from the GOM cruise
Project Progress Report: Gas hydrates up close with scanning electron microscopy [PDF: 227KB]
Project Progress Report: Characterization of Methane Hydrate Bearing Sediments and Hydrate Dissociation Kinetics [PDF: 71KB]
Project Progress Report: Gas Hydrate Tools(Hardware and Software) Development [PDF: 54KB]

Methane Hydrate R&D Program Publications

2007: Report to Congress on Methane Hydrates Research [PDF-external site- FE]. This report from the Federal Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee provides an assessment of the Methane Hydrate Research Program as well as an assessment of the 5-year research plan of the Department of Energy.
2007: Interagency Coordination on Methane Hydrate R&D [PDF-8.24MB]
2006: Interagency Roadmap for Methane Hydrate R&D [PDF]
2005: Amendment to the Methane Hydrate Research and Development Act of 2000 [PDF-28KB]
2005: Methane Hydrates Program Factsheet [PDF] : An overview of the program to better understand the nature, production potential, and environmental and safety implications of marine and permafrost hydrate deposits.
2003: 2003 DOE/JIP Hydrate Conference : On September 29 - October 1, 2003, DOE and ChevronTexaco jointly sponsored a Methane Hydrate Conference and JIP workshop for the exchange of information on on-going methane hydrate projects, including the Gulf of Mexico Joint Industry Project.
2003: 2003 Report of the Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee [PDF-1226KB]: Report to Congress on methane hydrate issues and opportunities, including an assessment of the uncertainty of the impact of methane hydrates on global climate change.
2003: Project Fact Sheet New Drilling Platform Used for Alaska's First Dedicated Hydrate Well [PDF: 43KB]
2002: Methane Hydrates Interagency R&D Conference: Proceedings from the Methane Hydrates Interagency R&D Conference held March 20-22, 2002 in Washington, D.C.
2001: A collaborative approach to methane hydrate R&D activities [PDF-250KB] : This article describes the background, history, ongoing activities, and program goals for a national methane hydrate R&D effort coordinated by the SCNGO.
2000: Methane Hydrate Research and Development Act of 2000.
2000: Gulf of Mexico Hydrates R&D Planning Workshop: Proceedings from the Gulf of Mexico Methane Hydrates R&D Planning Workshop held August 9-10, 2000 in Houston, TX.
1999: "The National Methane Hydrate Multi-year R&D Program Plan" [PDF-144KB] : DOE/FE plan to develop a science-based program with industry and other Government agencies to understand the potential of methane hydrates worldwide
1998: "Strategy for Methane Hydrate Research and Development" [PDF-642KB] : This document sets the foundation for a 10-year national program for the production of methane from hydrates

Photo Gallery:
The "Photo Gallery" provides pictures from five research locations, including the Gulf of Mexico, Blake Ridge, and the Mallik well in the MacKenzie Delta.